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Soil Association Announces Launch of Organic September

21 August 2013

UK - UK-based Soil Association has announced its plans to launch 'Organic September – Small Changes, Big Difference' to demonstrate the difference consumers can make by switching one household item to organic.

The campaign will run throughout September and will be the UK’s biggest celebration of all things organic, according to the Soil Association.

Consumers will be encouraged to make one small change to their shopping habits in order to make a big difference to sustainable food, animal welfare and the environment. Some of the small changes people can make include switching to organic milk, eggs, apples, choosing an organic moisturiser or even buying an organic cotton T-shirt.

Rob Sexton, Chief Executive of Soil Association Certification said: "If everyone makes a small change like switching to organic milk or choosing an organic moisturiser we can make a huge difference to our planet. Organic farms support 50 per cent more wildlife, with 30 per cent more species -that's more birds, bees, butterflies, beetles, bats and wildflowers. A small change can make a surprisingly large difference - the average family eats enough bread in a year that if just 12 families make the small change to swap their bread to organic, an area of organic land a quarter of the size of the Wembley Stadium football pitch would be a haven for wildlife.

"A small change will also make a big difference to the lives of farm animals. No other system of farming has higher animal welfare standards. Organic is free-range and encourages the animals’ natural behaviour. If twenty families switched to organic milk, another cow will be free to range on clover rich organic pastures; if two families switched to organic bacon, one more pig will keep its curly tail and stay with its mother for much longer; and if one family switched to organic eggs, a hen would have access to grassland and not be at risk of painful beak trimming."

Many local independent, online and national retailers will be holding events and offering discounts – and the Soil Association is hosting key events throughout September. The Soil Association Organic Health & Beauty Weekend on 7-8 September celebrates organic beauty products with regional events and discount vouchers – follow #OrganicBeauty , the winners of the Organic Food Awards supported by Seeds of Change will be announced on 19 September and the Organic Fashion & Textiles Weekend on 21-22 September will be a focal point for organic textiles and fashion brands and retailers.

The Soil Association is asking people to show what small change they'll be making at www.soilassociation.org/smallchanges where there will also be offers, competitions, and farm visits to get involved with. Consumers can also pledge their small changes by tweeting us using the hashtag #SmallChangesBigDifference

Major UK supermarkets have signed up to the campaign and will be promoting organic products in store. National and independent organic retailers throughout the country are being given toolkits which provide them with promotional products to help boost their organic sales.

Organic September - Small Changes, Big Difference is supported by green electricity supplier Good Energy.